Awards and Laurie

Hi everyone!
Thank you for all of your responses (and your second note here on
Scouts-L, Kim).

I have been overwhelmed with response from this list - thank you one and
all. I have also been a bit dismayed in some leaders. I posted a
question on AOL's message board asking if Tiger Cubs could also earn belt
loops - and visited a leaders chat open discussion on Sunday night. Now
for anyone who has participated in an online chat you know that you can
only type in so much so fast and it can become difficult to follow. I
was accused by one of the leaders (who latter did apologize via a
private message) who is a cub master - he said perhaps my son hasn't
truly completed the work I have signed off (on Bear). I also was given
a hard time for asking about Tiger Cubs receiving belt loops (I thought
that Tiger Cubs were now Cub Scouts as did other parents in our pack...)
YIKES! What a mess! Needless to say I was bombarded with more mail
(and postings to the message board there). I have decided that the
leaders on this list are far more helpful and informative than at that
location - so I guess you're all stuck with my silly and stupid
questions <g>.

All of the response I have gotten from Scouts-L is that there should be
monthly advancement given to the boys - and that they should be able to
work on their books during the summer. It has been suggested (by many)
that perhaps our Cub Master attend some training - monthly round table
and Pow-wows. My personal dilemma is that she does attend these programs
- I've been told she's been trained in just about everything. She's in
for the rest of this year and next year until one of the Assist. Cub
Masters is able to take over (small children at home). I truly don't
know how to deal with our pack over this. Last year I know I wasn't the
only one disappointed that the boys had to wait until Feb. for their
Wolves badge (and arrow points they had completed). There were several
in our den who didn't earn arrow points as I guess the parents hadn't
read the book (or the boys) - or they just weren't motivated. I know
one mom told be she didn't care if he got anything, she was too busy to
care. Personally I don't know how you couldn't earn rank by December at
the latest and work on other things too - I know this is just my opinion
and everyone lives differently. I was told on the chat that perhaps I
push my sons too much. I have reflected on that thought and really done
some soul searching on it - I did post a reply to that message board and
basically what I feel is that our family does *alot* of things together
- during the school year it is *very* rare that we (kids and I - husband
is sleeping shift worker in the evening) watch tv. We do school work,
cook, play games attend soccer (child friendly program age appropriate,
which the boys *want* to play), and work on scouts. Since we like to
read and do craft projects why not use the time to work on achievements?
Geez, some of the requirements are really too easy (IMHO) - my son wrote
birthday invitations and thank you notes - both are requirements, cooking
pasta, going to church. If I'm wrong to think that these things are
easy or if I'm considered an over-achieving "stage type" mom - well so
be it. Our two boys in school are both A students and are very happy
well adjusted kids, so I'm happy. Yes, I have rambled a bit here but
this has been very much on my mind - and to have someone accuse me of
signing off incomplete work was insulting...

It was suggested to me that boys who finish their trail work (Wolf,Bear)
too soon will become bored with scouting. I say phooey! If boys become
bored with scouting then there is a problem with how the program is
being presented. My oldest son finished his Wolf somewhere between Nov
and Dec last year and went on to earn seven arrow points as a Wolf - he
wasn't bored and he didn't drop out. After the Bear is completed I
think there is something like 1OO more elective points to work on (as
well as those belt loops) - how could a child become bored? I've been
downloading thumb print art, songs, skits and games for our Tigers and
to use next year with Wolves. To me there is sooo much the kids can do
it's just a matter of deciding what you want to do *and* to have a
*really good* time doing it. Everything doesn't have to be about awards
and badges - visiting nursing homes and picking up litter are just as
important as badge work. I don't think people should be criticized for
completing work earlier than others - I think some kids are taking too
long because they and their parents just don't know what to do or how to
do it.

So that's what has been going on with me for the past few days... Now
as I started to say earlier, I don't know what to do about awards and
our pack. Most of the leaders I have talked to think that waiting until
the Blue and Gold is *nice* - maybe if it was because there was a
ceremony it would be, I know my third grader is more into wearing his
badges now - and since just about everything I've read says immediate
recognition... I do think it's silly to wait so long to get something
to only have it on your uniform for three months - and whether it's
correct of not, I have found all the little boys in souting love to wear
their badges (and that must be the reason scouting decided to hand them
out to begin with right? - but I suppose that could be a whole new
thread). I do know before this Cub master was leading that the other
cub masters did hold ceremonies (i.e. Bob Cat Oct., Wolf and Bear
sometime before the Blue and Gold - I think I was told December). Being
the new (over achieving) Scout leader (Tiger Coach) - I am afraid of
stepping on too many toes - I don't want them to change things for my
son or I, I would like it to be in the best interest of the boys and
apparently the consensus is waiting until the middle of February isn't
exactly it.

I apologize for running on so long - this is obviously something very
important to me. Yesterday I was rather down in the dumps over it all.
Please feel free to respond either here or private e-mail - and if I
haven't answered you yet - please don't take it personally, I just have
a very full mail box (thank you :-) ), and an active household.

Laurie Pierce
Tiger Coach, Den 12

P.S. I was told there is no true answer re:Tigers and Belt loops, my
council office/store (one location) said they were checking with Texas.
I was then told although Tigers aren't formally "Cub Scouts" they do
participate fully as Cub Scouts in our pack. Tiger program says age
appropriate activities. I was told it's up to the pack committee's to decide
(please verify with your own council if interested - everyone has their
own opinion) - I have decided to let my Tiger parents know, but not to
have my Tiger son work on any belt loops at this time. I'm afraid that
I'm already stirring the pot a bit now - re:timely receipt of awards.
YIS,
Laurie

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